Souness: Tevez 'a disgrace to football, a bad apple'

Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness has branded Carlos Tevez “a disgrace to football” after Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claimed the Argentina striker refused to come on against Bayern Munich.

Tevez, who has frequently agitated for a move away from Eastlands, ended up staying with the club this summer when no suitable buyers came forward and he has been out of the first team since the start of the current campaign, with the likes of Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli all ahead of him.

He was again on the bench for the trip to Germany and Mancini has said he declined to go on the pitch when asked.

Tevez’s actions drew a scathing response from the television pundits, with Souness reacting furiously.

“He (Tevez) is one bad apple,” he told Sky Sports 2. “He can undo all the good work that has been done (at City). He’s a disgrace to football. He epitomises what most people think is wrong with modern football.

“It is totally unacceptable. He’s a football player and he is paid to play. He is refusing to help his team-mates. It’s all about him, him, him.”

Souness also suggested the Argentina forward’s attitude may have contributed to his exit from Manchester United, where he played prior to his Eastlands switch.

“Why didn’t Fergie take him? Fergie is the oldest fox in the business and he must have seen something he didn’t like in him,” said the Scot.

Mancini is now keen to see the back of Tevez once and for all and Souness believes that is the right move for City, who he thinks could risk losing their manager if they fail to agree.

“He (Mancini) walked into a hornet’s nest with him (Tevez) and several other players who were at the club at the time,” continued Souness.

“That would cause you to walk away from the job. How can you deal with players acting like that?”